Local interaction and nurturing personnel suitable to such efforts is the key to the future of grass-roots exchanges between Japan and the United States, experts in bilateral cultural relations said Friday at a Tokyo symposium.

The aim of the symposium organized by the nonprofit America-Japan Society was to discuss the past and future of cultural exchange as the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II looms.

"Creating ties between not only large cities but also regional heart lands would make a further contribution to promote friendship," said Sarah Marie Cummings, an American living in Nagano who is dedicated to preserving local culture as president of Bunkajigyobu Corp.